| The difference actually comes from the pearl separation on a farm or factory level in producing areas such as Zhuji China. When a wholesaler or retailer purchases pearls from a source supplier they are separated into different quality grades. They are all what is referred to as 'necklace qualities'. These are pearls that are deemed high enough quality to be drilled and matched into strands. Out of the 'necklace quality' strands, you have many different levels. The highest level, which many of us refer to as AAA, is the highest grade 'necklace quality'. These pearls will be visible round to the naked eye, have little to no blemishing, and have very good luster. This is not a quality that one often sees when shopping for freshwater pearl jewelry. Most are accustomed to level 3-4 and below. Markedly off round, moderately blemished, and low luster is the most recognizable freshwater quality on the market.
To obtain a grade higher than AAA necklace quality you have to go one step further into the quality grading. This is a product known as 'loose pearl' grade. This grade of pearl has been intentionally separated from all other grades before any processing has been completed. This quality is not drilled - it is sold as loose. It is not uncommon to see this grade in a high-end pendant or pair of earrings, but it is not sold in necklace form simply because the supplier can sell each pearl individually for a much higher margin on a 'selection' basis.
In order to compose a higher grade strand such as a 'freshadama', the loose pearl grade is used. This is not really as easy as it sounds, either. In order to purchase the loose pearls by selection, the cost of production would be overwhelming. BUT, if the buyer is able to buy in large volume, the cost can be limited. This entails purchasing the producers entire loose pearl inventory on the basis of weight, without individual selection. The buyer must then have the means to process the unfinished goods into necklace form. Also, even more importantly, the buyer must have the means to sell a large amount of inventory - it really is a volume game. If we were to create freshadama based on selection from loose lots, in order to only make a few strands (50-100 necklaces), the cost of production would be more than double our current selling price. Pearl lovers 'in the know' realize this, and that is what makes them such a tremendous deal. |